Axle construction



Dec. 9, 1930. o. R. SKELTON AXLE CONSTRUCTION Filed. Dec. 19', 1927 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 9, 1930 .l ili ihi'l TATES' OWEN B. SKELTON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO CHRYSLER CORPORATION,

OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF DELAVIARE- AXLE CONSTRUCTION Application filed December 19, 1927. Serial No. 240,965.

This invention relates to an axle construction and more particularly to a construction in which a detachable flange on a shaft housing is adapted to form a retainer for the bearing between the shaft and the housing.

An important object of the invention is to simplify the present construction for retaining the bearing within the housing and support. Heretofore additional means has been provided for securing the outer bearing of an view thru an automobile rear axle and wheel. Referrin to an illustrated embodiment of my invention, an axle housing 10 has been provided with an end portion 12 which is expanded radially as at 13 to receive a com bined thrust and radial bearing 14 and which is shown welded to the axle housing as at 16.

An axle 18 is journaled in the bearing 14 at its outer end and is adapted to be driven by' a suitable differential mechanism not shown.

The end or" the shaft 18 beyond the bearing 14 is tapered to r ceive a hub 20 of an' automobile wheel 22. A brake drum 24 is wheel. A plate 28 securedto the axle housing is adapted to form a. support for the brake mechanism, illustrated as at 30, of the hydraulic type.

The end portion 12 is provided with a radial flange 32 adapted to receive bolts 34 forsecuring the brake mechanism supporting plate thereto.

plate 28 projects beyond the inner periphery of the radially expanded portion 13' and is adapted to engage the outer edge of the hearing outer race 36 securing it in position against a shoulder 38 formed by radially expanding the end portion 12. The inner race secured to the inner side of the wheel by bolts 26 which also secure the hub to the The inner periphery of theof the bearing 14 is secured on the axle 18 a by holding it between a radial flange 40 on the axle and a screw threaded member 42 engaging the axle.

A lubricant retainer, between the housing 10 and axle 18, comprises an outer member 44 and an inner member 46 having a suitable packing 48 therebetween. The packing is formed as a unit and received in the end portion 12 abutting against a shoulder 50. Packing 52 is provided between the screw-threaded member 42 and inner member 46 to retain the first mentioned packing against outer axial movement. I 7

Another lubricant seal is provided between the housing 10 and axle 18 at the outer side of flange 40. Thisseal comprises a member 54 carried by the bolts 34, which secure the plate 28 to the end portion 12, and has packing material 56 secured thereto. The packing 56 is resiliently held in engagement with the outer end of the shaft 18 and flange 40 by a-coil spring 58. 7

It will be understood that a construction has been provided in which the brake supporting plate, secured to the axle housing, se-

cures the axle andits associated parts within the axle housing. The whole assembly is held against outer axial movement by the integral extended portion of the plate 28.

' It will be obvious that various changes may be made in the arrangement, combination and construction of the various parts of my improved device without departing from the spirit of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims such changes as may be reasonably included within the scope thereof.

' W hat I claim is:

1. In an axle construction or" the class de scribed, an axle housing, an integral radially extended bell shaped portion at the outer end ofsaid housing, a bearing in said extended portion, a radial flange at the outer edge of said bell shaped portion, and a brake mechanism supporting plate adapted to be secured to the outer surface of said flange and extending radially beyond theinner periphery of said bell shaped portion to hold said bearing.

2. In an axle construction of the class de-- ,2 In 7 c 7 1,784,394

scribed, an axle housing having an enlarged 7 end portion comprising a radial shoulder adapted to engage the outer raceof a bearing against inward axial movement, and a brake mechanism supporting platesecured to the outeredge of said housing adapted to retainsaid outer race against outward axial movement. c I 3, In an axleconstruction of the class dej scribed, an axle housing, shoulders, in} the outer end of said housing adapted to retain the outer race of a bearing and a lubricantz sealing memben against inner axial movement, an axle' journaled in said housing, means for securingthe inner race of'said bearingto said axle,'means associated with V .said axle and said lubricant sealing member for urging' the; latter inwardly against the shoulder holding it axially, and a brake 20. mechanisms supporting member secured to j said.'housing adaptedfto 1101a said-bearing, a

ja'xleiand lubricant sealing member against outen'axial movement. 1 14. 111 "an axle construction of theclassjde- 25 scribed, fan axle housing, a bearing in the outerend' of said housing, an axle journale'd yin said bearing, lubricant sealing. means at fthe opposite sides of said bearing, a brake mechanism supporting memberat the outer I 3 edgeofsaid housing adapted to hold all of I' said elements against outer axial movement within vsaid housing, and means for ,'s'ecur-' Qing'said'brake"mechanism supporting in'emand one of said sealing inembers'to said housing. c v v e c I 5 5. In an axle construction of the class described-, an axle housing comprising a substantially cylindrical end portion, a bearing 'secured toisaid end portion having a 40 radial shoulder, a bearing in the casing .en-

gagedfagainstsaid shoulder, an axle jour- V naled'insaidbearing, andabrakemechanism c i q supporting plate secured to said housing adapted to retain said axle and bearing withc insaid housing, said plateholding saidaxle 4 I I thruits pressure on said-bearing. a

f 6.111 an axle construction of the class de- I scribed, an-axle housing having an enlarged e'xtre'mity, a bearing in said enlarged. ex

,tremity an axle journaled insaidhousing and bearing, a Wheel on said axle, a brake; I

drum on said wheel, a brake mechanism supporting plate secured to the end of said axle housing, said plate projecting radially from I s'aid housing substantially closing the inner c 7' end ofthe-brake drum and projecting beyond the innerperiphery of the axle housing adjacent the outer side of said bearing.

f OWEN R. SKELTON. 

